​Staff Writer
This year's State of the Province Address is delivered as Gauteng will host the prestigious G20 Leaders' Summit in November 2025. As South Africa assumes the G20 Presidency, this milestone places Gauteng on the world stage, reaffirming the province's status as Africa's premier economic and investment hub.
Gauteng province is home to Africa's first automotive city, the Tshwane Automotive Special Economic Zone (TASEZ).  
This facility, which hosted the 2025 Gauteng State of the Province Address, is a shining example of what is possible when government and the private sector come together with a shared vision: to industrialise, create jobs, and unlock opportunities for the people of Gauteng and South Africa. 
During the State of the Province Address, Premier Panyaza Lesufi noted that the next chapter of growth is unfolding and invited the world to participate.
Tourism boom set to create 60 000 jobs.
Tourism, as a catalyst of economic growth, has been earmarked for job creation. The tourism and hospitality sector is set to support 60 000 jobs, providing opportunities for young and small businesses to participate meaningfully in this thriving industry. 
Game-changing China trade deal for local exports
The Gauteng Provincial Government recognises that a thriving SMME sector is the backbone of the economy and reaffirms its commitment to provide financial and non-financial support to sustain over 400 SMMEs and 200 co-operatives.
One of these interventions will come from a ground-breaking agreement with the Hunan Province of China, which Premier Lesufi says will open trade avenues for the export of nuts, Rooibos tea, biltong, honey and wine to the region's 66 million people across 13 cities without major restrictions.
"This partnership is a game changer for our small businesses, which will soon expand their operations, create more jobs and contribute to the growth of our economy", the Premier said.
Prospects for investment and economic growth in Gauteng have never been brighter since the Premier announced a new R2.5 billion steel firm that has been built and concluded with phase one, already hiring 1 000 workers in the City of Ekurhuleni.
Inclusive urban development
Lanseria Smart City is another bold initiative that is turning the dream of a truly post-apartheid urban node into reality. 
The Mekgareng Smart City Project in Madibeng will seamlessly integrate into the Lanseria vision as part of the drive to connect economic nodes across provinces. It is backed by a R20 billion investment, which will create 20 000 jobs and expand economic opportunities for Brits, Hartbeespoort, and surrounding communities.
Premier Lesufi boasted that through the GPG's Enterprise and Supplier Development Roadshows, 30 local products, from detergents to beauty products and food, have passed product testing and are now being sourced by major retailers like Pick n Pay, Builders Warehouse and Massmart. 
Agro-processing industry flourishes
Gauteng reaffirms its role as a key player in the agricultural value chain, with Premier Lesufi reporting that agro-processing contributed significantly to the provincial economy. "In 2023 alone, the food and beverage manufacturing sector generated over R780 billion in revenue. 
"Gauteng also remains a strong player in agricultural exports, with meat and meat product exports reaching R4 billion over the past year. Employment in this sector saw an increase in 2024, with over 10 000 new jobs added," he said.
Investment conference targets R800 Billion in pledges
On 3 - 4 April 2025, the Gauteng Provincial Government will host the Gauteng Investment Conference, a launchpad to securing R800 billion in new investment pledges over the next three years. 
"From this investment conference, we envisage investment pledges of over R300 billion from the private sector alone by the end of April 2025. We are not stopping here. The public sector will showcase an infrastructure pipeline of at least R220 billion", said Premier Lesufi.